Country music superstar Carrie Underwood has always taken her health and fitness very seriously. After welcoming her second son, Jacob, into the world in January, the star quickly realized that her body changed a lot more than she expected. Back in March, Carrie Underwood’s body observations took center stage in a candid Instagram post.
“I’m going to be honest, ‘bouncing back’ after having Jacob has been much more difficult than after I had Isaiah and I’ve been pretty hard on myself lately,” she candidly shared. “I go into the gym and I can’t run as fast or as far. I can’t lift as much weight or do as many reps as I could a year ago. I just want to feel like myself again…for my body to feel the way that I know it can.”
Although she had been hard on herself, she also realized something really important and has worked to shift her focus more on the positives.
“As I was working out today, I realized that for the past 11(ish) months, my body has not belonged to me. It was a perfect home for Jacob. And even now it belongs to him every time he drinks his milk. As I prepare for red carpets and for life on tour, right now I make a promise to myself to start appreciating what my body CAN do and stop focusing on what it can’t. I promise to stop analyzing every angle and every curve and every pound and every meal. I’m going to keep staying the path because it is a journey and as long as I’m always working towards my goals, one day I’ll reach them. I’m going to take it day by day, smile at the girl in the mirror, and work out because I love this body and all it has done and will continue to do!,” Underwood confessed.
Carrie Underwood’s Body Realizations
“After having my first kid [Isaiah, 4], I felt like I bounced back fast. And then with Jake, it was like my body took a minute to get back to me. It was frustrating, because I’m like, ‘Why wasn’t it like the first time?’ ” the star recently shared with PEOPLE during the CALIA by Carrie Underwood winter getaway in Aspen earlier this month.
“But I’m four years older. That also helped me shift my mindset — I’m still working hard, wanting to be the best me possible, but cutting myself slack and just thinking, ‘Be kind to yourself.’ It’s amazing what we [women] do to ourselves. We’re probably all our toughest critics,” she continued.
While Carrie continues to keep her goals in mind without going overboard, there’s no way she’s missing out on indulging a bit during the holiday season.
“I don’t like to call them ‘cheat days’ — you’re just enjoying life,” the star explained. “I feel like holiday time can be stressful when it comes to health and fitness, but it doesn’t have to be. You can just say, ‘I’m going to enjoy myself on the holidays.’ “
“It’s all about friends and family and food and parties, and indulging responsibly,” she added. “And when New Year’s is over, get back on the horse. It’s like, ‘Okay, I’ve had my holiday fun. Now it’s time to get back on my path.’“
